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Andre Norman      

Change Agent, Activist & Founder of Project Footprints

Andre Norman is the reason to believe in second chances. He grew up in a challenging situation witnessing domestic violence, was a victim of the Boston Busing Crisis, and was fatherless by the first grade. Raised by a single mom with six kids, Norman’s mom did her best to keep things afloat, leaving him with too much idle time.

At his new elementary school, it was discovered that Norman was illiterate. The Administrators placed him in what was effectively known as the “dummy class.” That is until Mrs. Oliver intervened in third grade. It wasn’t until Norman started middle school that he fully understood his family was poor. He was tormented by the other students for wearing dirty clothes and receiving free lunch. Quitting school was not an option, so Norman began working for the marijuana dealers in the local park.

While in high school Norman went full-time into gang life. He was arrested and received a 100-year prison sentence. When Norman entered prison, he double-downed on gang life, following in the footsteps of the wrong path that so many had walked before him. He rose the ranks of the prison gang. Norman was placed in solitary confinement for 2 1⁄2 years. It was during this time that he had an epiphany. Realizing that he was the King of Nowhere.

Norman crafted a plan to go from solitary confinement to Harvard University. Over the next eight years, he worked 20-hour days to make this plan a reality. Teaching himself how to read and write. His transformation included studying the law and attending anger management classes. Mentors became a key part of his transformation.

Winning his appeal and armed with a GED, Norman walked out of prison in 1999. Within 90 minutes of his release, he went from the prison to the parole office to the juvenile center, talking to a room full of young black boys about why they were locked up.

Turning his experiences into programs he created the Violence Interrupters & Proven Risk Youth model. Norman was a contributor to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, created by President George W. Bush. He went on to become one of the nation's leading experts in gang and prison violence intervention. In 2018 Norman was called on to create a program after one of the most deadly prison riots in American History.

From working with child soldiers in Monrovia, Liberia, to suburban families throughout America on the opioid crisis. Norman’s talents have turned trauma into triumphs. Since 2001, Norman has been working with the London Business School Executive Education Department, for clients including Prudential Insurance (UK), Bovis Lend Lease, (AUS), Deutsche Bank (Germany), British Petroleum, UK), Ericsson (Sweden), DANONE (France), KPMG and more.

In 2016, Norman received a fellowship to Harvard Law School for his help ending the protest in Ferguson, Missouri. Today, Norman is a sought-after advisor for companies dealing with social justice issues, community engagement & leadership. Also helping city and state governing officials experiencing violence in their jurisdiction. On top of his successful advising business, he is one of the most impactful international speakers.

In 2020, Norman released his first of two books titled, "Ambassador of Hope: Turning Poverty and Prison into a Purpose-Driven Life," which continues to spark the conversation that if Norman can achieve all that he has with such odds against him, then what is truly holding anyone back?

His focus on inclusion and making an impact is why he has been selected as an advisor to several corporations and a Board of Director member.

In 2021 he made history when the prison system that he was sentenced to, hired him to design a program and mentor other inmates where he once lived. Yet again proving that the impossible is possible with Andre Norman.

Speech Topics

BREAKING THE BARS: TURN YOUR PRISON INTO A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE

From an early age, Andre witnessed domestic violence, was a victim of the Boston Busing Crisis and was fatherless by the first grade. Raised by a single mom with six kids, Andre's mom did her best to keep things afloat, leaving Andre with too much idle time. By the age of 9, he learned a lesson that would define his life and land him in prison by 18.

When you quit on everything positive, all left behind is negativity, which leads you to one of two places: prison or the graveyard. Being allowed to quit and give up at such an early point in his life ultimately led him to prison and realize that everyone there had the same mindset he did.

He was the King of Nowhere. The only place his title took him was into a 2 ½ year sentence in solitary confinement. It was over. Andre had no way out. Alone with only his thoughts, he had an epiphany moment that would forever change his life trajectory. He heard this voice telling him he would go to Harvard. Calling it out to the world where not a soul could hear him, he knew this moment would move him to the King of Somewhere. Andre understood that he needed to change his purpose if he wanted to change his life.

Andre shares the journey from the prison yard to Harvard graduate to become one of the most called upon international speakers and top social justice consultants in this defining keynote. He reveals what is behind the curtain of his success, and it all started with his time in solitary confinement serving a 100-year sentence.

Now, as the Ambassador of Hope, Andre leverages his unique experiences to deliver a message of inclusivity and positive change. Whether you work in the boardroom or the mailroom, if you need that "second voice" of inspiration to be the change you seek, Andre will help you discover and achieve your purpose in life.

Audiences will walk away with not only the mindset needed to succeed but with an actionable plan for change. Andre Norman is the reason to believe in second chances. He will inspire audiences to see that it is never too late to change.

Learning Objectives:

  • Cultivating your purpose - Living a life without a dream is impossible

  • The importance of mentorship, a “second voice” - How to find it and craft yours

  • Finding self-belief- You are your own best resource

  • The transformation mindset- Learning the tools it takes for historical change

HOW TO BRING YOUR DIFFERENCES TOGETHER FOR STRENGTH

Growing up in a tumultuous home life raised by a single mother, Andre Norman had much idle time that ultimately led him to gang life, which earned him an over 100-year prison sentence when he was in high school. While in prison, Norman quickly rose through the ranks, which led him to a 2 1/2 year bid in solitary confinement. It was during this time that he had an epiphany. Realizing that he was the king of nowhere, Andre started to conceive a plan to get out of prison and attend Harvard University. A start to a long journey that first began with teaching himself how to read.

With his new skill sets, he started attending anger management classes and studying the law, which enabled him to win his appeal. Armed with a GED and a changed mindset, Andre walked out of prison a changed man on November 15, 1999. Within 90 minutes of his release, Andre went from the prison to the parole office to the juvenile center, talking to a room full of young black boys about why they were locked up.

Turning his experiences into programs, he created the Violence Interrupters & Proven Risk Youth model. Andre was a contributor to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, created by President George W. Bush. He has become one of the nation's leading experts in gang and prison violence intervention.

Today, Andre Norman is a sought-after advisor for companies dealing with social justice issues taking him to calm the chaos in Ferguson, Missouri, and leading the efforts of change with community engagement & leadership. Andre's skills are called upon to bring peace to the streets, helping city and state governing officials experiencing violence in their jurisdiction,

In his most called upon keynote, Andre Norman addresses why leaders do not see change, movement, or transformation in their organization. Advising on how to see results with diversity and inclusion programs and shining a light on how to achieve with bringing these programs into a company, leaders will walk away with an actionable plan moving their teams forward towards overall goals and inclusion.

From an educational and outreach perspective, Andre speaks to communities from elementary schools to city council leaders on what it takes to move from the idea of diversity and inclusion and put it into practice. This keynote can be tailored for any audience looking to ask questions and speak with Andre openly and candidly in a safe learning space about how to bring our differences together for strength.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understanding why leaders do not see change, movement, or transformation in their organization.

  • How to see results with diversity and inclusion programs.

  • Walk away with an actionable plan moving their teams forward towards overall goals and inclusion.

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